On the move: Latest appointments and promotions

John Rutherford joins Shepherd & Wedderburn from rival Pinsent Masons. Picture: Contributed

Aberdeen-based John Rutherford joins law firm Shepherd & Wedderburn as a consultant to head up and develop the firm's Aberdeen operations.

Rutherford comes on board from Pinsent Masons, where he was a senior corporate partner specialising in corporate and corporate finance work including acquisitions and disposals, private equity and corporate reorganisations. He said: “Working in Aberdeen, I certainly understand the current economic challenges faced by businesses in the region.”

Sue Buchanan has been elected as the new president of the Scottish Licensed Trade Benevolent Society at the charity’s AGM. Known as The BEN, the charity helps former and current workers of the licensed trade facing hardship, providing social, financial and emotional support. Buchanan, a regional sales manager with drinks wholesaler Matthew Clark, takes on the role following a period as The BEN’s vice-president.

Business Growth Fund (BGF) continues to grow its investment team with the appointment of Ben Barker, who will provide support to BGF’s portfolio of companies based in Scotland. Barker has more than 13 years’ experience of equity funding gained, most recently, as a director at Caird Capital where he worked on a number of transactions including the sale of Tuffnells to Connect Group and the investment in and subsequent IPO of McColl’s Retail Group.

Five Scottish-based colleagues at CMS are among the 31 promotions being announced across 22 of the global law firm’s offices. They include three newly promoted partners: Jenny Allan of CMS’ banking & international finance practice in Edinburgh; Jack Letson of the firm’s Glasgow-based corporate practice and Graeme Clubley of the Aberdeen energy team. John Craske and Fiona Letham, who lead the firm’s Scottish-based Legal Services Unit (LSU), have been promoted to the role of LSU director.

Property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has strengthened two significant areas of the business in Scotland by hiring new staff and making key promotions. Among the moves, David Main has joined LSH’s building consultancy team in Glasgow as a graduate building surveyor, having previously worked at Sweett Group. LSH has moved to bolster its valuation team in Edinburgh with the promotion of Rachel Naylor to senior surveyor.